News Link: Maharashtra and Railways Opening Local Train Services for General Public
The Maharashtra government last month wrote to the Railways. It proposed to allow general public to travel by Mumbai local trains during non-peak hours.
The Maharashtra government and the Railways are at loggerheads over restarting Mumbai’s ordinary train operations. It is the lifeline of the metropolis, without restrictions on who can avail of the services was the issue. At present, only certain categories of persons, including essential services staff and women, can travel by local trains. In this article, we explain why the two are at fighting and how this is not the first time. The Maharashtra government and the Railways have squared off against each other earlier too.
Over seven months after it decided to shut down suburban train services in the wake of the pandemic.
Maharashtra government on October 28 wrote a letter to the Railways. It proposed to allow general public to travel by Mumbai local trains during non-peak hours. But only with following the Covid-19 norms.
The proposal suggested any person holding a valid ticket or pass be allowed to board local trains till 7.30 am, then between 11 am to 4.30 pm and after 8 pm till the end of the services. It also said the time between 8 am to 10:30 am and 5 pm to 7.30 pm should be reserved only for employees in essential services having valid QR code or identity card with valid ticket or pass. It also suggested that there should be one ladies a special train every hour.
Five days after the state wrote the letter, the Railways is yet to take a decision on opening services for the general public. After receiving the letter, Railways said it was in a position to ferry only 22 lakh people while adhering to Covid-19 rules
Compiled by – MK (Editor)
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News Link: Maharashtra and Railways Opening Local Train Services for General Public
